(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

That sums it up real well. Here's my more detailed synopsis:

The Gators prevailed in a 1-0 pitcher's duel over USF to improve their record to 35-9. Elizabeth Hightower (12-3) threw a complete game 3-hitter, walking 2, hitting 1 and striking out 6. USF AA Georgina Corrick threw a 1 hitter, a base hit by Cheyenne Lindsey in the 2nd inning, while walking 3 and getting 7 K's. Florida scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the 6th on a one out walk to Skylar Wallace. With 2 outs, Wallace stole second and came all the way around to score when the throw to 2nd from the USF catcher went into the outfield. The Bulls had their biggest threat of the game in the top of the 7th when they got a 1-out walk followed by a single. With 2 outs the runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, but Kendra Falby made a great diving catch on a foul ball against the fence down the left field line to end the game. Hightower probably pitched the best game of the year for her, but for the Gators to be successful against Arkansas this weekend, they're going to have to get better offense. Given that Corrick is an elite pitcher, maybe the best in D1, the Razorbacks 2 starters are excellent and their offense is much better than USF's. Nevertheless, a big win for the Gators.

 

In SEC games, Goelz is batting .211, Longley .133. Goelz' on base percentage is .268, Longley's .278. In all games, Goelz's BA is .283, Longley's is .182. Goelz' OBP is .343, Longley's is .339. Goelz is fielding at .990, Longley at .968. I've been a fan of Avery since she first signed and thought she would be a 4-year star. Hasn't worked out like that, but Longley seems more like a utility player and not a regular. I know that last year she played SS most of the season, but hit only .167 with an OBP of .268 and a fielding percentage of .964. I know she got that game-winning hit against Montana Fouts and Bama in 2021, but I agree that Avery Goelz is the better player. Mystifying.

 

Comparing numbers between Florida & Arkansas
Record UF 35-9 Arky 32-8
SEC UF 11-7 Arky 11-4
RPI UF #8 Arky #10
Non-Conf. RPI UF #6 Arky #20
SOS UF #6 Arky #9
Non-Conf. SOS UF #32 Arky #66
vs. RPI 1-25 UF 8-6 Arky 9-5
vs. RPI 26-50 UF 9-2 Arky 8-3
vs. RPI 51-100 UF 3-1 Arky 6-0
vs. 100-200 UF 9-0 Arky 7-0
vs. 201+ UF 5-0 Arky 2-0

Batting Avg. UF .321 Arky .347
HR's UF 29 Arky 81
Walks UF 150 Arky 137
Runs UF 275 Arky 309
Stolen Bases UF 99-110 Arky 34-41
ERA UF 2.46 Arky 3.17
Walks UF 144 Arky 92
Hits UF 214 Arky 247
HBP UF 28 Arky 21
Strikeouts UF 264 Arky 270
Opp. BA UF .199 Arky .248
Fielding UF .982 Arky .969

Aransas has 5 players with 10 or more home runs, only 1 starter hitting under 300 and 5 hitting between .385 and .480. With Adams out, we'll have 4 starters hitting under .300, 4 hitting between .353 and .407. Our leading HR hitter has 6, #2 has 5, #3 has 4. We've played a tougher schedule, have more speed, better defense and pitching numbers are slightly better. But their offense is significantly better than ours and we give up more free passes than they do. Making them earn runs instead of walking/hitting batters will be key, IMO. Also, we're going to have to get more and better offensive production up and down the lineup to win this series.

 

Yeah, I was just getting ready to post that and saw you got there first. I was hoping all of our "regular" seniors would come back for their COVID year. Lindsey must already have plans set elsewhere. I knew Adams, Lugo and Mesiemore had no eligibility left and didn't think Kinsey Goelz did either. She redshirtted at Miss. St. in 2018, played for them in 2019, 2020 wouldn't count, but she is shown as a redshirt sophomore that year. 2021 and 2022 at UF are her 2nd and 3rd years of playing eligibility. So maybe with the COVID exception for 2020 she does have 1 more year to suit up, even though they're showing her as a redshirt senior. Not sure. Echols, Hightower and Lindsey definitely have 1 more year of eligibility if they choose to use it and apparently Cheyenne has decided against doing that. Too bad.